A real JOY RIDE
The Holiday Express train is a memorable experience, writes Arthi Gopi
IT’S UNTHINKABLE that some people in Durban have not used the train in the city that pioneered rail transport in the 1800s.
I was one of them until I boarded a Holiday Express train to the Shongweni market last weekend. The train rides include return journeys, and a day spent at a popular spot or event. Trips to the beach on the South Coast are popular, while we boarded a ride to the Shongweni market, which had a special Valentine’s theme.
We boarded at the station, off Masabalala Yengwa (NMR) Road, near the Mr Price office. Safe parking was available and we entered the main station building, a clean airy facility.
We were directed to the cool businesslounge area where we checked in. While waiting we took a walk around the terminal building, definitely a world-class facility. A model of the first train that operated in the country in the 1860s is on show, and something Durbanites can be proud of.
Then it was time to board, and who can resist having a little “Harry Potter Moment”?
Angela Whittle, of the Holiday Express, said the beauty of a train ride was that it meant the family could enjoy themselves.
“We run the trains to give families a chance to make memories. Everyone who comes has a good time. People just love being on a train.
“We will be doing more rides for Easter and also plan to do corporate bookings,” she said.
Inside the train – the KZN Business Express – comfortable reclining seats awaited. We spotted a boardroom, dining areas and a tidy facility to make the trip enjoyable.
But there was no time to enjoy the seats because the best part was yet to come: enjoying the view from the train.
We headed south, then inland and passed the messy inner town section where we caught a glimpse of a part of our city we don’t usually see: vagrants living alongside the tracks. A few minutes later, though, we left the city behind and the scene changed to greenery and suburbia.
We passed through tunnels with a deafening “clackety clack” of the train, and also passed the Kirk waterfall near the Shongweni market where the train stopped to let people take pictures.
An hour or so later we arrived at the Ntshongweni station and boarded buses to be taken to the market, about a 10-minute trip. The Shongweni market needs no introduction as the market attracts thousands of people on Saturday mornings. We alighted from the coaches and joined the throngs at the market.
First on the list of things to do was to find food. The options were burgers, pancakes, muffins, gluten-free goods, roti and chai.
We settled on the Indian fare and joined more than a dozen people in the line. The Roti and Chai stall was definitely one of the most popular stalls at the market. Sandesh Rampersad said their quick, tasty and hot street food style drew people.
“I love roti and my kids love chai, and that’s how we came up with the name. Food is where my passion is and we do it well and it’s all fresh,” he said.
We had the chicken tikka in naan, and were left licking the paper for the tasty sauce.
One of the most interesting stalls is Adam Njoya’s, from where dozens of faces stare at customers. Njoya sells art from Central and West Africa.
“These items are very popular with tourists. They also love the Big Five items. These are collectors items and people want them,” he said.
Toti artist Kylie Bilse treks to Shongweni to sell her goods.
When she couldn’t find items that she liked, she started making her own, and now she has a following.
She makes most items out of clay or other natural pieces she fashions into pieces of art.
“I use driftwood, shells, crystals and anything else I come across.
“Thankfully people appreciate a piece of handmade art,” she said.
Although we felt the wait for the train ride for the return journey was too long, little kids enjoyed the day out.
Visit the website at https:// theholidayexpress.co.za/